The sage-grouse numbers in eastern Oregon have been diminishing recently, likely due to overgrazing by the cattle of nearby ranchers. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be examining the state of the grouse on a yearly basis to determine if Endangered Species Act protection is needed. Although it is evident that grouse numbers have been decreasing, the effect of grazing on the grouse was not completely understood.

In a study done by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the current method of cattle grazing proved deleterious to sage-grouse. Cattle do not actually consume the sagebrush that the sage-grouse use for food and shelter. Instead, they consume the grass in between sagebrush plants (interspace grass). However, after 40% of the interspace grass is gone, the cattle begin grazing on grass below the sagebrush. This grazing ends up being problematic for the grouse, as its habitat begins to be destroyed.

Although it seems apparent that stopping grazing would help the grouse population proliferate again, it is not beneficial to the ranchers who own these grazing cattle. Many ranchers prefer to have their animals graze on public lands, and stopping grazing on these lands altogether would hurt them. ARS scientists proposed that ranchers may graze on public lands, but the grazing should be carefully monitored. If the cattle have consumed 40% of interspace grass, ranchers should relocate their cattle to other grazing areas before the cattle begin damaging grouse habitat.

Discussion Question: What other solutions could you think of to solve this problem?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100430131235.htm
Journal Article: http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=196170